Destinations
ECUADOR MAKES IT SPECIAL
Ecuador's Ministry of Tourism reports that it has successfully concluded its Discover Ecuador Roadshow in Canada and the US. During the events, ministry officials had a chance to meet with leading members of the travel trade industry in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C. and New York and showcase the latest developments in Ecuador's tourism industry. The event also featured top suppliers from the country, representing a diverse offering including the world-renowned Galapagos Islands, the Pacific Coast, the Andes and the Amazon. The...
MONTREAL GETS AMBITIOUS
Tourisme Montreal is gearing up for the summer tourist season, unveiling its plans to invest over $10 million in a range of promotional initiatives designed to drive an ambitious tourist volume growth target of 2%. For the most part, these efforts will target the North-Eastern United States, Ontario and Quebec markets. Tourisme Montreal predicts that 8.5 million tourists will stay in Montreal in 2013, which will represent a 2% increase over last year. Tourist expenditures are projected to reach $2.5 million in 2013, an increase of 4.7% from 2012. Tourism in two particularly profitable...
TOP SPOT FOR YVR
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has been named the best airport in North America for the fourth year in a row at the annual Skytrax World Airport Awards. In addition to being named tops on the continent, YVR also ranked eighth best airport in the world -- one spot up from last year. The awards are based on 12 million passenger surveys administered worldwide. Passengers score their experiences across 39 different airport service and product areas, like signage, amenities, friendliness, etc. Nearly 400 airports were rated. Go to http://www.yvr.ca for...
MARCHING TO VICTORIA
Fans of marching bands will want to know that the second annual Pacific Tattoo is coming to Victoria in July. Bands from Australia, the Netherlands and across Canada, as well as members of the RCMP from throughout BC, will perform at the Tattoo, which will run July 13 and 14 at Victoria's Memorial Arena. With over 400 performers (and a finale of more than 200 massed pipes and drums), the Tattoo is reminiscent of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in its infancy. The two-hour finale production will include a celebration of police and fire fighting services. Drum your way over to...
UAE DROPS CDN VISA REQUIREMENT
Beginning June 1, 2013, Canadians travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will no longer require a visa in order to enter the country. The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates here in Canada advised of the change this week -- http://uae-embassy.ae/Embassies/ca/Content/1175 -- after the UAE government announced it was restoring the previous visit entry requirements whereby regular Canadian passport holders will not require a visa to enter the UAE. Canadian passport holders will be granted entry free of charge to the UAE with their visit arrival stamp, again, issued upon arrival in the UAE....
FOURTH FREE AT GLACIER
Glacier Bay Lodge on pristine Glacier Bay, Alaska sits next to Bartlett Cove, and has outstanding views of a stunning national park setting. It is now offering an all-inclusive package that includes a fourth night free accommodations, based on double occupancy. The package includes the Glacier Bay day tour with lunch, dinner on night of arrival, breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner for three days and a breakfast buffet on the day of check-out. Also included is the use of lodge bicycles and fishing poles during the ástay, plus transfers from Gustavus Airport to/from lodge. The offer is...
RAFTING TO ADVENTURE
Award-winning rafting outfitter Northwest Rafting Company of Oregon has secured the first commercial outfitting permit granted for the wild and scenic Chetco River in more than a decade. The Chetco is a river canyon very few people have seen due to its remoteness and challenging access. With the new permit, Northwest Rafting Company will be the only outfitter able to lead kayaking trips down the protected waters and through sections of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area in the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest of Oregon. The outfitter's first descent is planned for early June. On the five-day...
IRISH APPs ARE SMILING
Tourism Ireland has launch its new "Gathering Gestures" App for iPhone and Android devices. In the year of The Gathering Ireland 2013, this free to download App is an extra special Irish welcome to international visitors, offering a variety of "gestures" so travellers can get even more value from their vacation to the island of Ireland. Over 500 Irish tourism businesses and organizations have registered their "gestures" for the App, and users can access featured offers including bonus treats on food & drink, hotels, visitor attractions and travel services. The App is designed to help...